Tributes pour in after death of legendary CFRA radio host Lowell Green

People from across the region are sharing memories of the bombastic radio host, who set the tone in Ottawa for decades.

Tributes from around the Ottawa Valley have been pouring in for Lowell Green, the legendary long-time radio host who died on Saturday at the age of 89.

Green was a staple on the Ottawa airwaves for decades, starting as a news and farm reporter at CFRA, moving to hosting shows such as “Greenline” and “The Lowell Green Show” until his retirement in 2016.

He also championed numerous community causes, wrote 10 books, and helped found businesses and charities, such as the Sunday Herald, the Ottawa chapter of Big Brothers, and the Help Santa Toy Parade.

• RELATED: Longtime CFRA host Lowell Green passes at 89

Bell Media Ottawa Director of News and Information Programming Joanne Woo said Green was a towering figure in Canadian broadcasting and one of the most influential voices in Ottawa’s history.

“He set a standard for opinion-driven broadcasting that was fearless, unmistakable, and deeply rooted in community. Beyond the microphone, Lowell was a tireless advocate for local causes, charitable organizations, and civic initiatives,” Woo said in a statement.

“His legacy will continue to be felt across newsrooms and airwaves for generations. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many listeners who felt they knew him personally through his voice.”

From former colleagues at CFRA to politicians and everyday people, here is what people are saying about Green today:

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe worked with Green at CFRA for years. He told Newstalk 580 CFRA on Monday that Green’s presence in the community has been “enormous” even long after his retirement.

“He is truly a broadcasting legend,” Sutcliffe said. “Lowell kind of defined this format in Canada and in Ottawa in the 1960s when he created the phone-in talk show for our country. He was a pioneer in this space; he was one of very few talk shows in Canada and indeed in North America at that time and he set the tone for what this kind of show could be.”

Sutcliffe also said cared deeply about the community.

“There was a combative nature to Lowell, and he loved to mix it up and get in the debate and take on the authorities, but there was also this incredibly big heart behind Lowell, who supported so many local charities and really believed in the community and mobilized people to get behind a cause in our city.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre

The leader of the federal Conservative Party said on X that Lowell Green was the voice of the common people in the Ottawa Valley.

“Day after day he would fill the airwaves with the truth that no one else had the courage to speak,” Poilievre said. “He was the voice of the hardworking majority of people so often forgotten by those in power. He would build and mobilize massive audiences who raised their voices to bring change for the better. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude for his relentless work, courage, and common sense.”

Bill Carroll, host of Newstalk 580 CFRA’s The Morning Rush

CFRA morning show host Bill Carroll posted about Green on his Facebook page.

“Ottawa and Canada have lost an absolute legend,” Carroll said. “He inspired and rallied Canadians on many important causes. Lowell Green has passed after 89 remarkable years. He provided the template for any broadcaster who wants to share their views with this great country.”

Former Lowell Green Show producer Mike Murphy

Mike Murphy, who worked behind the board as Green’s producer at CFRA for many years, said every day was something new.

“We never knew what he was going to talk about in the show, so we had to play off of each other. I had no clue what he was going to be talking about. Sometimes, he would poke his head into the studio and say, ”Murph, I need this song, or this sound effect ready to go!’ And I had no idea why," Murphy told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work.

“And then he’d do his rant and then he’s queueing me for stuff and we’re playing along with each other. Then, we’d find new things as the show goes along and surprise him with things and he would surprise me with things and we’d have to be ready. You’d never know what was happening. It was the most fun you could have producing a radio show.”

Steve Winogron, former CFRA program director

Steve Winogron was the former news and program director at CFRA and was Green’s boss.

He tells CFRA’s Ottawa at Work Green was a brilliant broadcaster.

“Not only was he knowledgeable—he knew history, he knew the facts and backgrounds of things—but he also knew that he was also a showman. He had to do a show that was entertaining and had power in it,” he said.

Winogron said, as the manager, he knew Green knew how to do his show, but he’d sometimes have to deal with the fallout of some of his more controversial comments.

“When he does, I’d have to prepare a presentation to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council,” he said. “It was a huge part of the job, and he was almost a fulltime job, but we always won because he was always right in what he was doing. You could argue was he right in his point of view, but it wasn’t about the point of view, it was about the way he conducted himself as a broadcaster and he always won.”

Dean Brown, TSN 1200 play-by-play announcer

Dean Brown, the voice of the Ottawa Senators, said Green was “one of the best in the world” among radio talk show hosts.

And while Green dealt with serious, weighty topics, Brown says he had a great sense of humour.

There was an incident when Brown and fellow broadcaster Gord Wilson hung up on Green during a show. Brown admitted it was all a prank.

“We told Lowell what we wanted to do, and he wanted to do it so that he could play the clip of it on his midday show the next day. So, we had him call in and we said, ‘It doesn’t matter what question you ask, Lowell; we just want the opportunity to hang up on you,’” said Brown. “So, he bought in completely. So, yes, he called in, and yes, we hung up on him, but it was planned so that next day he could go on his show and say, ‘See? These guys hung up on me! I had a legitimate question and these guys hung up on me’ So, it was a little bit of radio tomfoolery.”

Sen. Leo Housakos

Quebec Senator Leo Housakos called Green a Canadian icon.

“A true Canadian icon who used his magnificent voice to defend the symbols and institutions that define us,” he said on X. “We have Mr. Green, in large part, to thank for fighting for the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill. Condolences to his loved ones and his family of listeners across the Ottawa region and beyond.”

Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi

Yasir Naqvi said he was saddened to learn of Green’s passing.

“He interviewed me on many occasions. We hardly agreed on anything. But, I appreciated his strong views, and love for Canada,” the Liberal MP said.

“I often reminded him that we both ran for Ontario Liberals in Ottawa Centre. He found it amusing!”

Green sought the Liberal nomination for the federal riding of Pontiac in 1968 and ran for the Ontario Liberals in an Ottawa Centre by-election in 1984.

Former CFRA host, Ottawa Sun publisher Rick Gibbons

Rick Gibbons, the former publisher of the Ottawa Sun and a former CFRA talk show host, said he was sorry to hear of Green’s passing.

“He was a legendary broadcaster and a true Canadian. I had the honour to work with him for a time and saw firsthand his impact in steering public opinion and getting things done. Heard from him just two weeks ago. RIP Lowell,” he said on X.

Toronto Sun columnist, former CFRA host Brian Lilley

Lilley called Green “one of kind,” and an “inspiration and a mentor.”

“I once watched him walk into the studio choked up about a kid who needed medical treatment and the family needed help. In three hours on air, he raised all the money needed. Ottawa lost a legend. RIP and condolences to his family,” Lilley said.

Fomer Ottawa MP and cabinet minister John Baird

John Baird, the former Conservative MP for Ottawa West-Nepean and a cabinet minister under Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he was devastated to learn of Green’s passing.

“A brilliant broadcaster, remarkable community champion, and friend. I just loved the guy! His wit and wisdom will be dearly missed! I used to joke and call him my spiritual leader! What a great life. My thoughts are with his wife & loved ones,” Baird said on X.

Former Ottawa MPP and cabinet minister Lisa MacLeod

Lisa MacLeod, the longtime Ontario MPP for Nepean and former cabinet minister under Premier Doug Ford said Green was an icon and a friend.

“I have many memories of Lowell, but none more memorable than the time he was angry about the E-Health scandal and told his listeners to call my number and email me,” she wrote on X. “It was a long weekend and I sat in front of my computer the entire time. I wasn’t even in Government. But that was Lowell - he held politicians accountable and expected better of his government. That’s why I loved him, why his listeners loved him and why government leaders secretly had his show on in the background. He was a force of nature, a good humoured soul and simply the best. Rest easy, Lowell.”

Emails and CFRA text board

Terry F., Westboro

From the early 60s as news director delivering newscast sheets to Campbell MacDonald at the remote studio at the dairy bar in Westgate Shopping Centre, to baseball player for CFRA Happy Blunderers with Ken Grant, Lowell was an Ottawa icon who will be sorely missed.

Colleen

Like him. Dislike him. Agree with him. Disagree with him. Rest well Lowell. You have left your mark. Your listeners heard you and loved you.

Shon Kelly

Lots of fun working with Lowell over the years. I remember fondly doing the remote setups for Remembrance Day live from the War Memorial with him. We did not have the modern computer and internet technology back then but we got him on the air from home and the Bahamas several times. Troubleshooting equipment with Lowell was always a hoot.He will be missed.

Sheila P.

We remember Lowell during the Ice Storm in Ottawa January 1998. He kept on the radio letting us know what was happening all the time. We were so grateful, as we had no power and it was so cold. So. thank you, Lowell, we will always remember you.

Jason Isaac

He may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but I fondly remember when I was a kid home sick from public school and, after watching the Price Is Right then the Flinstones at lunch, mom would turn the TV off and the radio on to CFRA to listen to Lowell Green on Greenline, his first famous Ottawa call-in show years before he took over the morning slot from General Grant/Steve Madely when CFRA turned to all-talk radio.

I met Lowell several times at media fundraisers when I was with an on-air host at ROGERS TV Ottawa. One time in particular, he was the judge at a Bail or Jail broadcast at the Rideau Centre and he sentenced me to jail with a pretty high bail amount then took pity on me when I could only raise half the cash so he paid the other half himself!

And every time he launched a new book I would track him down for a signature and a picture to share a copy with my dad, who was also a big fan. Not too mention the travelling softball team, The Happy Blunderers, made up of CFRA personalities like General Grant and Lowell, who came to Metcalfe a few times for fundraiser celebrity softball games. Their big play was pitching with a real grapefruit - what messy fun!

Lowell’s passing is a big loss to the broader Ottawa community, regardless of political taste. May his family find peace and solace in our shared grief and celebration of his life.

Vincent M.

I first met in the mid 1980’s when I produced a fishing show for CHRO TV in Ottawa. Station Manager Garry Janz thought Lowell would be a good guest so I contacted CFRA to inquire about the possibility of it. We received the “Green light” to proceed, so I contacted Lowell. He told me he spent a lot of his Summer on his island in the 1000 Islands and asked if we could meet him at his place there. The address was Island # (whatever it was). However, unlike a street, the islands are not located in numerical order, so we spent a great deal of time that morning trying to find him, but eventually we did.

Walked out to his dock dressed quite casual and carrying a cooler like a baseball coach would bring for his team to drink out of. Except in this case, that cooler did not have Kool-Aid in it. We set out on our 6 hour tour and that cooler went to work. As the day progressed, Lowell lit up and caught many fish. He then asked if he could drive the big boat from John’s Marina. Back in those days, having a cocktail and driving a boat was not yet promoted as a big issue. I didn’t know he liked speed and big waves. What a fun day we all had.

He talked about his show (the Green Line) and some of his pet peeves. One was being called Lorne Greene who played Ben Cartwright on Bonanza. The next was Solar Powered Windmills and how much of an eyesore they were just to produce less than 5% of the Solar Power for the grid. The 3rd was pointing out the inadequate level of education many of our College and University Grads received and would frequently ask those who called his show to answer simple trivia questions, like name a river that separates Canada and the U.S. But his biggest peeve was at the onset of the Internet. He would ask callers how it improved their life, then attack the response. Several months later, he was himself quoting information from that same Internet.

My takeaway from the day with him was what a really nice guy he was. I was sorry to hear that he passed away, but I will always remember him for the right reasons, one of which was his love for our City and his ability to get folks to open up about sensitive issues.